Bio 3191

In the writing-intensive course, Molecular Mechanisms in Development (Biology 3191), advanced biology and other life-sciences majors read, discuss, and write about published articles on recent research in developmental biology.

According to Professor Kathy Miller, who developed the course, one of its major goals is to teach students not only “what we know” about developmental biology, but also “how we know what we know”-or how current knowledge in the field is being acquired through laboratory research. Recognizing that this goal required students to learn to integrate facts into concepts, ideas, and arguments, Miller redesigned the course several years ago in a writing-intensive format. Dr. Frank has been a co-instructor for the course since 2008.

In the current course, students write essays in which they present and support arguments about current research in developmental biology. The critical-thinking, reading, and writing skills that they develop in this course are integral to research and scholarship in a wide range of disciplines, including science.

To learn more about Biology 3191, explore the links on the menu to the right, or watch Professor Miller’s Teaching Commentary videos.